HIT Bolsters Development Slate

NEW YORK: HIT Entertainment has given the go-ahead for the development of two new projects, along with appointing a newly created Global Advisory Committee.

For the Birds is an animated comedy for kids 8 to 11 that follows the adventures of Earl E. Bird. The producers are Tom Ruegger, the creative force behind such series as Tiny Toon Adventures and Pinky and the Brain, and Randy Rogel. The second project given the greenlight is Zip, Zip, Zippy, a music-driven series that invites preschoolers to physically interact in story-based adventures.

HIT has also expanded its development team. Chris Rose has been upped to VP of programming and development, reporting to Christopher Skala, the senior VP of programming and new content development. Christina Schick heads to the newly created position of director of development, reporting to Karen Barnes, the senior VP of development and production.

“HIT’s expanded North American development team complements our existing team in the U.K. and allows us to better canvass the globe for innovative, exciting new projects and talent,” said Lenora Hume, the executive VP of production and programming at HIT Entertainment. “We are proactively looking to augment our world-class portfolio of properties with original ideas and memorable characters. HIT’s Development team, in consultation with the new Global Advisory Committee, will continue HIT’s tradition of bringing rich, engaging and trusted content to children and families worldwide.”

The newly appointed Global Advisory Committee guides the development and programming teams around the world, acting as an educational resource to HIT’s writers and producers throughout the creative process. Members of this committee include Dr. David Buckingham from The Institute of Education, London; Dr. Sandra Calvert, a professor in the department of psychology at Georgetown University and the director of the Children’s Digital Media Center; Dr. Renee Cherow-O’Leary, president of education for the 21st Century, a research and consulting firm in New York City; and Dr. Wendy Sims from the University of Missouri-Columbia.